November 17, 2006 by Catholic San Francisco

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Bishops’ leader says growing ‘coarseness’ in society affects church

(CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC)

By Jerry Filteau

Bishop David A. Zubik of Green Bay, Wis., speaks in front of a depiction of the Crucifixion Nov. 13 in Baltimore during the U.S. bishops’ annual fall meeting.

BALTIMORE (CNS) — A growing “coarseness” in U.S. society has had its impact on the Catholic Church, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., warned the U.S. bishops as they began their fall national meeting Nov. 13 in Baltimore. Bishop Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the country has had a long history of vigorous, free exchange of ideas, but “there is a difference between spirited debate and debasing personal attacks.” “Today vulgarity is common, hardly noticed. Even the name of God is disrespected in everyday speech,” he said. “We confront this coarseness on a daily basis in the newspapers, on television and on the radio,” he said. “I would suggest to you that the phenomenon is symptomatic of a growing failure in our society: the lack of respect for one another, to see each other as being made in the image and likeness of God.” In film and on television, he added, “there is a cruel celebration of violence. There is a mocking reduction of sexuality, debasing it from God’s beautiful gift of creation to little more than casual chemistry and inconsequential recreation.” “It would be naive to think this descent into coarseness has neither social nor spiritual consequences,” he said. He said he sees it in harsh and divisive debates within the ‘COARSENESS’, page 8

Pope takes on hard questions in Muslim dialogue By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey Nov. 28-Dec 1 will include a meeting with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in Istanbul. Yet the focus of the pope’s visit to Turkey likely will be the reception he receives from the leaders and people of this largely Muslim country. Certainly, Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks on Islam Sept. 12 in Regensburg, Germany opened a new chapter in the Vatican’s 40-year dialogue with the Muslim world and brought the pope’s own views on Islam into clearer focus. In the controversy that followed his speech, the pope told Muslim leaders there should be no doubt about his commitment to the dialogue launched by the Second Vatican Council or of his “esteem and profound respect” for Muslim believers. At the same time, the pope is not hes-

itating to raise some uncomfortable questions about the religious foundations of Islam and its cultural and political influences today. “It is important that (interreligious) dialogue take place with much patience, much respect and, most of all, in total honesty,” the pope wrote several years ago. For the pope, the honest approach to dialogue with Muslims means not simply talking about the shared belief in one

God but also facing sensitive issues like that of violence and religion. Against a backdrop of global tensions, the pope believes that question cannot be ignored and that moderate voices must be heard. “Many people, including the pope, are asking whether there is not perhaps a link between certain interpretations of the foundations and sources of Islam, and what is being done by Islamic extremists,” said Jesuit Father Christian W. Troll,

professor of Islamic studies at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt, Germany. While the pope would not fall into the mistake of overly generalizing about radical Islam, he would like Muslim dialogue partners to take a closer look at the interpretation of the Islamic heritage, in particular those elements that can be misused in the direction of violence, Father Troll told Catholic News Service. In his first major encounter with Islamic representatives in 2005, the pope asked Muslim elders to make sure their young are formed in attitudes of tolerance and cooperation. “I am profoundly convinced that we must not yield to the negative pressures in our midst, but must affirm the values of mutual respect, solidarity and peace. The life of every human being is sacred, both for Christians and for Muslims,” he said. MUSLIMS, page 10

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION New Congress . . . . . . . . . . 3 News-in-brief. . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Scripture and Reflection Chinese Catholics

~ Page 16 ~

U.S. Bishops meeting . . . . . 8 Senior Living. . . . . . . . 10-12 Commentary & letters . 14-15

~ Page 20 ~ Gift & Holiday Guide. . 18-19 Classified ads. . . . . . . . 22-23

~ Page 5 ~ November 17, 2006

‘Stranger than Fiction’

NEXT ISSUE DEC. 1 SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

VOLUME 8

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No. 34

Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

On The

Welcome was the watchword for newly arrived Braulio Santiago Sifuentes at Seton Medical Center’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton New Life Center. Born November 2nd, the infant is the 1,000th baby birthed at the facility. Happy as can be are Rosa Isabel Gonzalez, holding her daughter, and dad, Fidel Sifuentes with Dr. Douglas Rittenhouse, back left, grandma Cristina Ruiz Velasco, Caroline Ferraris, and nurse, Bridget Coyle.

Where You Live by Tom Burke Coming to their neighbors’ aid was St. John’s Elementary School raising $5,700 to assist Corpus Christi Parish in its recovery from an August fire. Chairing the event for the school’s Parent Group were Letty Moreno and Liz Murphy. More than 300 people attended. “We are overjoyed to raise funds for our neighbors down the street,” said Kenneth Willers, principal. Kenneth, by the way, grew up in Corpus Christi…. Mercy High Burlingame marked its 75th year at its annual Circle of Mercy donor dinner October 5th. The school’s Advanced Chorale entertained the more than 200 guests. Honored for their long support of Mercy were the Franklin Templeton Fund based on the Peninsula, the Carl and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation and the school’s founders, the Sisters of Mercy…. Natalie Grace O’Connor, newly arrived daughter of Angela and Patrick O’Connor was baptized at St. Catherine of Siena Church October 8th. Godparents are Robert O’Connor and Corinne Iken…. Celebrating their 45th year of marriage are longtime St. Catherine’s parishioners, Judy and Giles Miller. Sending their best are the couple’s six children, Giles, Michelle, Martina, Norelisa, Matthew and Melinda…. Nothing trivial about top spot in the annual Junipero Serra High

School Trivia Contest and Scavenger Hunt and hats off to Our Lady of Angels Elementary School for takin’ the prize. “I was again impressed with the resourcefulness of the students,” said Serra admissions director, Randy Vogel, who oversees the competition now in its 22nd year. Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School came in 2nd. Team members included Ann Parden, Sean McMillan and Amanda Smerdel. Schools including St. Dunstan, St. Pius, All Souls, St. Gregory, St. Robert and St. Gregory also took part…. Recent graduates of All Souls Elementary School were honored at a Mass September 17th. Following the liturgy the classmates went out for dessert. “It was a won-

Randy Vogel, left, and Serra Trivia Club Prez, Steve Erickson with members of the Our Lady of Angels Trivia Team including Brendan Galindo, Emma Bacchini, Kelsey Merrigan, Ryan Flynn, David Monticelli.

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derful time,” said Sandra Firpo, mom of 2006 alum, Bella Firpo. Also in attendance are now-freshmen, Charles Carpio, Joe Carey, R.J. Galli, Gabriela Cano, Ariel Campbell, Ariel Anderson, Jamarl Perez, Lena Mier, Clarissa Calimbas, Adreana Estigoy, Melissa Batesting, Erin Ebo….Remember there is no CSF next week. Happy Thanksgiving!….This is an empty space without ya’!! The email address for Street is burket@sfarchdiocese.org. Mailed items should be sent to “Street,” One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109. Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. Don’t forget to include a follow-up phone number. Call me at (415) 614-5634 and I’ll walk you through it.

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November 17, 2006

Catholic San Francisco

New Congress to have more pro-life Democrats; may raise wages, aid immigrants By Patricia Zapor WASHINGTON (CNS) — The 110th Congress that goes to work in January will include more pro-life Democrats whose party’s majority in both the House and Senate also is likely to bring efforts to raise the minimum wage, roll back tax cuts for the richest Americans and take a broader approach to immigration reform. Six new members of the House and one new senator who oppose legal abortion were elected Nov. 7 as part of a Democratic surge that put the party in control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 12 years. Pennsylvania voters chose Democratic state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. to replace Republican Sen. Rick Santorum. Both are Catholics who oppose legal abortion. Democrats for Life of America counted six new House members as pro-life: Heath Shuler of North Carolina, a Baptist; Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth, both of Indiana; Charlie Wilson of Ohio; and Chris Carney and Jason Altmire, both of Pennsylvania. The last five are listed by various sources as Catholics. Congressional Quarterly tallied 25 Catholics in the upcoming Senate, and 126 in the House. There are currently 24 Catholic senators and 131 Catholic House members. Two Buddhists and a Muslim elected to the House will be the first members of those faiths in Congress. Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, said although some of the Republicans who were ousted in the election also were consistent pro-life voters in Congress, the net effect is “near a wash” in terms of total pro-life members. Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, said by his count there will be 1015 fewer pro-life votes in the House and perhaps four fewer in the Senate, depending upon the issue. He said that might still constitute a majority supporting limits on abortion in some cases, but by a narrower margin. “The biggest challenge is the change in leadership,” Johnson said. The probable new chairmen of both judiciary committees and of committees concerned with appropriations and health policy oppose most of the pro-life agenda, he said. Day said it was too soon to say whether the Democratic Party’s support for successful pro-life candidates in this election means the end of the presumption that Democratic candi-

dates must support legal abortion to have the party’s backing. “We would hope it’s off the table,” she said. Already Democrats opposed to abortion are finding the party’s leaders more inclined to work with them on legislation such as the Pregnant Women Support Act, she added. The bill, which has the support of the U.S. Catholic bishops, is aimed at reducing the number of abortions. House Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, who is expected to be speaker of the House in the 110th Congress, said Nov. 12 that she would back Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a Catholic and an opponent of legal abortion, for House majority leader. Pelosi, also a Catholic, supports keeping abortion legal. Day also said she has heard from around the country that the Democratic Party’s support for some pro-life candidates made some voters opposed to abortion feel more free to vote for Democrats in general. Expanded federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, which is opposed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and many pro-life organizations, is one item on Pelosi’s short-term agenda. Several polls show that candidates’ positions on abortion were not a significant factor in the election, however. The war in Iraq is cited most frequently as the predominant issue for voters this year. Catholic University of America politics professor John White said at a Nov. 9 program analyzing the outcome that “this election is a big deal. It’s not going to be easily undone.” White said it was significant that states that have been counted as reliably Republican such as Virginia ended up supporting more Democrats. That trend will be hard to reverse, he suggested. At the same program, professor Matthew Green said much of Pelosi’s “Six for ‘06” Democratic agenda echoes many of the concerns expressed by voters who were dissatisfied with the current state of the U.S. government. Pelosi’s agenda includes raising the minimum wage; passing tax deductions and reducing student loan interest rates to make college more affordable; seeking energy independence; rolling back tax cuts for companies that move jobs overseas; pursuing lower drug prices for Medicare users; and implementing the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

Several organizations that lobby on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform see an improved climate in the new Congress for their agenda. “Never before in our lifetimes has immigration emerged as a major factor in an election,” said a written election analysis by Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. Sharry said candidates who backed broad approaches to immigration problems fared much better than those who espoused “enforcement-only or enforcement-first” positions. After the spring saw millions of people rallying across the country for comprehensive immigration reform, and despite approval by one house or the other of several other bills, the only significant piece of immigration-related legislation to be signed into law in the 109th Congress approved 700 miles of new fencing on the Mexican border. Funding for the fence was not included. Sharry said the shift in power in Congress, as well as the defeat of candidates from both parties — including several incumbents —who held a hard line on immigration bodes well. “We have an opportunity to move beyond the stalemate toward a workable solution,” he said. “It will require our nation’s leaders to follow through on their stated commitment to bipartisan problem solving,” Sharry wrote.

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You, me, we. Together we make the Bay Area a better place for all. God bless you this Christmas.

Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

November 17, 2006

in brief

Archbishop named to Pontifical Council, Social Communications

Faith Formation Conference draws nearly 2,000 attendees SANTA CLARA – The 2006 Faith Formation Conference – this year a joint endeavor of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Dioceses of Monterey, Oakland, San Jose and Stockton – drew nearly 2,000 attendees, presenters and exhibitors to Santa Clara Convention Center Nov. 10-11. The theme of the two-day conference was “Rooted in Faith — Embracing Our Future.” San Jose Bishop Patrick J. McGrath said the conference goals were to help parish ministers, leaders, catechists and teachers connect with their own Catholic faith and that of the people they are called to serve in the culturally diverse dioceses of northern California. Dozens of workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese provided learning opportunities for attendees, while the keynote address by Dr. Catherine Cronin Carotta focused on “Sustaining the Spirit to Teach, Lead, Serve.”

(CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC)

SAN FRANCISCO — Pope Benedict XVI has appointed San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Archbishop Niederauer will serve a five-year term on the Council, which is responsible for issues related to any means of communications, such as radio, television, print media, and the Internet. Its mission is to use the instruments of social communications to proclaim the good news of salvation. Its president is American Archbishop John Foley. Archbishop Niederauer also chairs of the Communications Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Imam Sheikh Rashid Lamptey welcomes Catholic guests to the All Dulles Area Muslim Society center in Sterling, Va. The October meeting was the first for the Catholic-Muslim Dialogue of Northern Virginia. In 2005 Pope Benedict XVI called interreligious and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims a “vital necessity.”

lic square.” Campbell is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington and also host of the Eternal Word Television Network show “Faith and Culture.” She is also a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush. She is scheduled to address the intersection of politics and religion during a talk Nov. 21 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The theme of her presentation will be “The Kennedy Compromise: How America’s First Catholic President Inaugurated an Era of Compartmentalized Faith in Politics.”

said. Recent wars and armed interventions, he said, prove that violence is never an answer “because it destroys the human dignity, life and freedom it claims to defend.” He said, “I thus invite your country to resolutely continue its efforts to contribute to a just and stable peace in the world, particularly in the Far East.” North Korea conducted a nuclear test Oct. 9, and less than a week later the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea, including ship searches for banned weapons, an assets freeze and a travel ban on people related to the nuclear arms program.

Pope praises Japan’s efforts to Panel finds evidence of British More Catholic politicians said to stop North Korean nuclear tests army, police collusion in deaths CITY — Saying violence will never bring peace separate faith from public service andVATICAN security, Pope Benedict XVI praised Japan for its efforts to DUBLIN, Ireland — An international panel of human rights ST. PAUL, Minn. — During the last 40 years, an increasing number of Catholic politicians have demonstrated a willingness to separate their faith from their public service. And that, according to Colleen Carroll Campbell, “has been very damaging to the church’s witness in the world and in the pub-

promote negotiations to stop nuclear proliferation in North Korea and throughout the Far East. During a Nov. 13 meeting, Pope Benedict welcomed Kagefumi Ueno as Japan’s new ambassador to the Vatican. “The search for peace between nations must be a priority in international relations,” the pope

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lawyers found evidence of British army and police collusion in the deaths of 74 Catholics in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The panel, headed by Douglas Cassel, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, examined 25 BRIEFS, page 5

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November 17, 2006

Catholic San Francisco

Chinese Catholics present Christ’s message of love in evangelization event By Alice Chan Chinese Catholic young adults, young adult leaders and guests gathered at the San Mateo County Expo Center Oct. 21-22 to support an Evangelization booth at the first annual Sing Tao Daily Expo. The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Chinese Ministry and the Bay Area Chinese Catholic communities sponsored the booth. The theme of the event was “Love,” based on the recognition that God is love, and the Great Commandment of Jesus is to love God above all things and to love your neighbor as yourself. Through the daily living out of this belief we become Christians, followers of Jesus. The purpose of the event, which was organized and administrated by Chinese Radio of Spiritual Service (CROSS), was to spread the message of God’s love to the public and to evangelize those that not yet have the chance to know about the Catholic faith. Activities included games, a display of religious books and articles, spiritual counsel-

Briefs . . . ■ Continued from page 4 cases of loyalist paramilitary violence between 1972 and 1977 and found evidence of collusion by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland’s former police force, and the Ulster Defense Regiment, the British army’s former military force in Northern Ireland. Cassel said the families of the victims are demanding the full truth. The families want to know “why were members of their family targeted, and by whom and at what level was it approved?” he said. The families also are asking the British government to publicly acknowledge the collusion and apologize.

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Organizers, helpers and singers are shown at the “Evangelization” booth at the San Mateo County Expo Center.

individuals need to adopt less consumerist lifestyles, Pope Benedict XVI said. The unjust distribution of the world’s resources not only creates “the scandal of hunger,” it also plays a role in today’s environmental and energy crises, the pope said during his Nov. 12 Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square. More than 860 million people around the world suffer from malnutrition, and “too many people, especially children, die of hunger,” the pope said.

with a thick leather-bound photo album containing dozens of color photographs of Christian churches, monasteries and other sacred sites that had been destroyed or desecrated after the Turkish military occupied northern Cyprus in 1974.

French bishops support reconciliation, regulation Tridentine Mass Pope discusses Christian ofLOURDES, France — The French bishops’ conference has pledged to support Pope church destruction Benedict XVI’s attempts at reconciliation with VATICAN CITY — During a meeting in the Vatican with the president of Cyprus, Pope Benedict XVI surveyed pictures of the damage done to hundreds of Christian churches and monasteries on the island’s northern Turkishoccupied area. Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos met with the pope and the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Nov. 10. After a 20-minute, closeddoor meeting, the president presented the pope

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traditionalists who rejected Second Vatican Council liturgical reforms, but warned that the return of the Tridentine Mass should be regulated. The bishops said they “share the desire

ing, singing, DVD shows and distribution of brochures and gifts. Nearly 1,200 adults and children visited the booth. A comic strip had attracted nearly 350 participants to read the bible story in order to answer questions. About 80 percent of the people visiting the booth were non-Catholic. Participants included Father Daniel Nascimento of the Archdiocese of San Francisco; Jesuit Father Michel Marcil and Father Matthew Koo of the San Jose Diocese, and Deacon Danny Wong from the Oakland Diocese. Members of Crossradio, a Catholic support group of young adults whose primary interest is Catholic radio broadcasting and evangelization, also participated in the event. Prominent visitors to the Expo and Chinese Ministry booth were San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang and Canosian Sister Maria Hsu. Crossradio also is a Chinese Catholic radio program broadcasting at 1400 on the AM dial every Saturday from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.crossradio.com. for reconciliation with priests and laity who separated from the ecclesial communion after this council.” In a Nov. 9 statement issued after a bishops’ plenary meeting in Lourdes, France, the bishops said they “also expect from these faithful an unequivocal gesture of assent to the teachings of the church’s authentic magisterium.” The return of the pre-Vatican II Mass, which is celebrated in Latin and follows the Roman Missal of 1962, should be regulated, rather than left to “personal tastes and choices,” the bishops said. They said they would welcome traditionalists and “work for reconciliation in truth and charity,” but also recognize “the riches of Vatican II teachings” and believe the implementation of Vatican II’s liturgical renewal “testifies to the fidelity of priests and communities.”

Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

Pope to meet with Orthodox, Muslim, government leaders By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although prayers and meetings with Orthodox leaders dominate the schedule of Pope Benedict XVI’s Nov. 28-Dec. 1 trip to Turkey, he also will meet government and Muslim leaders. The trip originally was designed as an opportunity for Pope Benedict to join Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople for celebrations in Istanbul of the feast of St. Andrew. The pope and the patriarch send delegations to each other’s churches each year for the celebrations of their patron saints’ feast days: the Vatican’s June 29 feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and the Orthodox churches’ Nov. 30 feast of St. Andrew. While the pope will pray with and meet privately with Patriarch Bartholomew Nov. 29 and attend his celebration of the Nov. 30 feast day liturgy, Pope Benedict also will meet in Istanbul with Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Jewish and Catholic leaders. The first day of his trip, which will be spent in Ankara, the capital, will be dedicated to relations with the Turkish government, its office overseeing religious affairs and ambassadors serving in the country. The head of the department of religious affairs is Turkey’s highest Muslim authority. The Vatican published the pope’s schedule Nov. 11, but without providing the exact time and details of many of the events. Here is the schedule published by the Vatican. Times listed are local, with Eastern Standard Time in parentheses.

Tuesday, Nov. 28 (Rome, Ankara) — 1 p.m. (6 a.m.) Arrival at Esemboga International Airport in Ankara. — Visit to the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey. — Welcoming ceremony and courtesy visit with the president of Turkey. — Meeting with the president of the government office for religious affairs. Speech by pope. — Meeting with the diplomatic corps. Speech by pope. Wednesday, Nov. 29 (Ankara, Ephesus, Istanbul) — Mass in Ephesus. Homily by pope. — Prayer visit to the patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul and private meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew. Thursday, Nov. 30 (Istanbul) — Divine liturgy in the patriarchal Church of St. George. Speech by pope. Signing of joint declaration. — Visit to the museum of Hagia Sophia. — Prayer visit to the cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and meeting with Patriarch Mesrob II. — Meeting with the metropolitan of the Syrian Orthodox Church. — Meeting with the chief rabbi of Turkey. — Meeting and dinner with members of the Catholic bishops’ conference of Turkey. Friday, Dec. 1 (Istanbul, Rome) — Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Homily by pope. — Farewell ceremony at the Istanbul airport.

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Christmas Movie to Premiere at Vatican VATICAN CITY (AP) — A movie about Christmas by the company that produced the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings” will make its world premiere at the Vatican this month. “The Nativity Story,” which opens in the United States and Italy on Dec. 1, will be screened at the Vatican’s Pope Paul VI Hall on Nov. 26, Vatican officials said. It was not yet known if Pope Benedict XVI would attend the screening, said Claudia Di Giovanni, from the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Producers said in a statement that 7,000 people would be invited to the premiere, and that proceeds from the event would go toward the construction of a school in a village in Israel about 25

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miles from Nazareth, the town of Jesus’ childhood. The statement said that the village, Mughar, has a diverse population, including Christians and Muslims. Mughar is one of the towns hit by rockets fired by Lebanon-based Hezbollah guerrillas over the summer. The movie stars Australian-born Keisha CastleHughes, of “Whale Rider” fame, who plays the role of Mary, and Oscar Isaac, who stars as Joseph. “The Nativity Story” is directed by C a t h e r i n e Hardwicke, who did “Lords of Dogtown.” Di Giovanni said that while some made-for-TV movies have had their premieres at the Vatican, it is believed that “The Nativity Story” will be the first feature film to have its premiere there.

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Fall meeting of U.S. Bishops in Baltimore covers wide range of topics By Catholic News Service BALTIMORE (CNS) — On the first day of their Nov. 13-16 fall general meeting in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops endorsed the issuance of a statement calling for a “substantive, civil and nonpartisan discussion” leading to “a responsible transition in Iraq.” “We hope our nation has moved beyond the divisive rhetoric of the recent campaign and the shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to ‘cut and run’ versus ‘stay the course,’” said the statement, issued in the name of Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The four-page document was prepared by the USCCB Committee on International Policy in collaboration with the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services and the USCCB Administrative Committee, which approved its addition to the agenda of the bishops’ meeting Nov. 11. “The (Bush) administration and the new Congress need to engage in a collaborative dialogue that honestly assesses the situation in Iraq, acknowledges past difficulties and miscalculations, recognizes and builds on positive advances (e.g., broad participation in elections), and reaches agreement on concrete steps to address the

“Coarseness’ . . . ■ Continued from cover church and even in “judgmental and uncharitable commentary” in some Catholic media. Bishop Skylstad urged his fellow bishops to “foster attitudes and discourse based in charity.” “The call to love is as challenging as it is radical. ... We are all on the learning curve of profound love of neighbor,” he said. One of the challenges facing the church in restoring church unity is to “encourage and foster devotion to and the regular reception of the sacrament of reconciliation,” he said. Many people, including priests, go to confession rarely,

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serious challenges that lie ahead,” Bishop Skylstad said. The bishops approved by a unanimous voice vote the creation of a new episcopal region for the Eastern-rite bishops. They approved the creation of Region XV; the United States is divided into 14 regions for the nation’s Latin-rite bishops. The bishops began consideration on a number of other items, including a “Directory for Music and the Liturgy” for use in U.S. dioceses; a statement on “Married Love and the Gift of Life,” reaffirming church teaching against contraception; the release of $335,000 for the next phases of a national study on the causes and context of clergy sexual abuse of minors; a statement on receiving the Eucharist worthily; and a four-year strategic plan for the years 2008-2011 and USCCB reorganization. The bishops also were to consider a series of guidelines for pastoral care to those with homosexual inclinations. The document clearly reaffirms and explains church teaching against any sexual activity — homosexual or heterosexual — that takes place outside marriage, and it says authentic ministry must be based on that teaching. But it also says a homosexual inclination is not itself sinful and those who are homosexually inclined “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.” It condemns hatred or “violent malice in speech or action” against homosexuals. “Those who would minister in the name of

the church must in no way contribute to such injustice,” it says. The 23-page document, prepared by the Committee on Doctrine of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is titled “Ministry to Persons With a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care.” Addressing general principles about human sexuality, the document says, “The purpose of sexual desire is to draw man and woman together in the bond of marriage, a bond that is directed toward two inseparable ends: the expression of marital love and the procreation and education of children. ... This is the order of nature, an order whose source is ultimately the wisdom of God.” “By its very nature,” the document adds, “human sexuality finds its proper fulfillment in the marital bond. Any sexual act that takes place outside the indissoluble and lifelong bond of marriage does not fulfill the proper ends of human sexuality. ... It is disordered in that it is not in accord with this twofold end and is thus morally wrong.” “There are a variety of acts, such as adultery, fornication and contraception, that violate the proper ends of human sexuality,” it says. “Homosexual acts also violate the true purpose of sexuality. They are sexual acts that cannot be open to life. Nor do they reflect the complementarity of man and woman that is an integral part of God’s design for human sexuality.”

if at all, he said. “The graces of this sacrament, and the consequence of the unity it brings, cannot fail to be felt by individuals, within families, and in our society,” he said. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, papal nuncio to the United States, also addressed the U.S. bishops in the opening session of their Nov. 13-16 meeting. Noting that the bishops were marking the 200th anniversary

of the dedication of the nation’s first Catholic cathedral in Baltimore, Archbishop Sambi recalled some of the historic U.S. church events that occurred in that city, including the country’s first seven provincial councils and three plenary councils. He noted that American Cardinal James Gibbons once compared the place of Baltimore in U.S. Catholicism with that of Jerusalem for Jews or Rome for Catholics in general.

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Missouri bishops decry cloning, embryonic stem-cell amendment By Jennifer Brinker and Jean M. Schildz ST. LOUIS (CNS) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Missourians â&#x20AC;&#x153;have lost a significant battle for the protection of human life,â&#x20AC;? declared Archbishop Raymond L. Burke following the Nov. 7 passage of a constitutional amendment to protect human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research. Unofficial election returns from the Missouri Secretary of Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office Nov. 10 showed that Amendment 2 squeezed by with 1,077,276 votes in favor and 1,028,495 opposed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The citizens of Missouri have succumbed to a false hope created by a campaign which has played on the desire of us all to help those suffering from deadly diseases and serious injuries,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Burke said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The election campaign for the passage of Amendment 2 has shown us all how deeply rooted the culture of death is in our society,â&#x20AC;? he continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The experience of the campaign is a clarion call to all Catholics and other men and women of good will to rededicate ourselves to prayer and workâ&#x20AC;? to restore to the state and nation a respect for every human life from the first moment of its existence.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have lost a significant battle for the protection of human life,â&#x20AC;? said Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph in a statement, adding Amendment 2 â&#x20AC;&#x153;will come to be regarded as the Roe v. Wade of human cloning.â&#x20AC;? Despite being on the short end of the vote, Bishop Finn said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Catholic Church stands by its unparalleled heritage of compassionate health care, and pledges continuing support for good science and ethical stem-cell research.â&#x20AC;? Jaci Winship, executive director of Missourians Against Human Cloning, called her campaign â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most amazing grass-roots effort that the state of Missouri has ever seen.â&#x20AC;? Winship said it was too early for the coalitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership to determine what it intended to do next. But, she told the St. Louis Review, archdiocesan newspaper, that the issue was far from over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is clear is that Missouri is sharply divided straight down the middle on this issue, and we shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be amending the constitution with just 50.7 percent of the vote,â&#x20AC;? said Winship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know an overwhelming majority of Missourians oppose human cloning, and we will continue to carry this battle forward.â&#x20AC;? Winship said Missourians Against Human Cloning intends to keep working on

the issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The battle goes on, and we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rest until truth wins the victory and deception is defeated,â&#x20AC;? she said. In a statement, Deacon Larry Weber, executive director of the Missouri Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bishops, said since Amendment 2 is now part of the Missouri Constitution he promised that the conference â&#x20AC;&#x153;will work diligently to ensure that taxpayersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dollars will not go to funding this unethical research.â&#x20AC;? Deacon Weber added the only option for repeal is for Missouri voters to approve another constitutional amendment revoking Amendment 2. Despite being outspent about 10 to 1, opponents of Amendment 2 marveled at how close they came to victory. Proponents spent more than $30 million in their campaign to secure Amendment 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passage. Most of that money came from James and Virginia Stowers, a Kansas City couple who founded the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, which will benefit directly from the amendmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously, the obscene amount of money expended by the opposition carried the day,â&#x20AC;?

said a Nov. 8 statement by Bishop John R. Gaydos of Jefferson City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More than ever, I urge all people of good will who are committed to upholding the sacredness of all human life to continue to pray and work for our community and our world that seems so intent on hurling headlong into the arms of the culture of death.â&#x20AC;? Exit polls published online at CNN.com show that statewide 55 percent of voters identifying themselves as Catholic voted against Amendment 2. The exit poll also showed that 69 percent of those who said they attend religious services at least once a week also opposed Amendment 2. As late as Oct. 12, though, the Survey USA polling firm had reported that Amendment 2 seemed headed for a landslide win with a 57 percent to 27 percent lead among likely voters who said they were â&#x20AC;&#x153;certainâ&#x20AC;? of their votes. That lead disintegrated rapidly as election day approached despite a statewide blitz of proAmendment 2 television, radio and newspaper advertising. But with only one week left in the campaign, Survey USA reported Oct. 31 that Amendment 2 still held a comfortable 10-point lead, 50 percent to 40 percent, with 10 percent undecided.

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November 17, 2006

Muslims . . . ■ Continued from cover During his first 18 months in office, Vatican officials say Pope Benedict has adopted a new style of dialogue with Islam, but without setting off in an entirely new direction. “Pope Benedict XVI is carrying on the work of John Paul II with a style of his own: It’s a work of continuation, not imitation,” said Cardinal Paul Poupard, head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. In fact, over the course of his pontificate, Pope John Paul frequently spoke to Muslims about interreligious tolerance, cultural cooperation and reciprocal respect for religious freedom. Pope Benedict has touched on the same points, but with more direct language. He has also tended to avoid the public gestures of interreligious friendship that were a trademark of his predecessor — like addressing a soccer stadium full of Muslim youths in Morocco, praying in a Syrian mosque or riding in a “peace train” to Assisi with Muslim representatives. “We are facing two different approaches to dialogue,” Father Justo Lacunza Balda, an official of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome, told CNS. For Pope John Paul, Father Lacunza said, encounters with Muslims were a key part of papal travels abroad and special ceremonies at the Vatican. Pope Benedict is less a “stage person” and more analytical, he said. “His approach is one in which you have to identify issues that are absolutely relevant and important to discuss in our modern times,” Father Lacunza said. “Today, these problems include the relationship of faith and reason, the link between religion and violence in the minds of some supposed religious leaders, the question of religious liberty, and questions about science, democracy and freedom,” Father Lacunza said. “He is putting all these issues on a plate for the church and the Muslim world to discuss,” he said. At the University of Regensburg in September, the pope touched on several of these themes in language that he later acknowledged was open to misinterpretation. Most of the Muslim criticism focused on the pope’s quotation of a medieval Byzantine emperor, who said the prophet Mohammed had brought “things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith.” The pope afterward clarified that he was not endorsing the emperor’s words.

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Pope John Paul II raised issues about Islam’s foundations, fundamentalism By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although Pope Benedict XVI is often described as taking a tough line with Islam, a close look shows that Pope John Paul II raised similar issues about Islam’s religious foundations and its fundamentalist currents. Pope John Paul professed great respect for Muslims’ habits of prayer, and he continually underlined potential areas of Christian-Muslim cooperation in social life. But, as U.S. Catholic writer George Weigel has pointed out, the late pope offered a critical assessment of Islam in his best-selling 1994 book, “Crossing the Threshold of Hope.” “Whoever knows the Old and New Testaments, and then reads the Quran, clearly sees the process by which it completely reduces divine revelation. It is impossible not to note the movement away from what God said about himself, first in the Old Testament through the prophets, and then finally in the New Testament through his Son. In Islam all the richness of God’s self-revelation, which constitutes the heritage of the Old and New Testaments, has definitively been set aside,” the pope wrote. “Some of the most beautiful names in the human language are given to the God of the Quran, but he is ultimately a God outside of the world, a God who is only majesty, never Emmanuel, God-with-us. Islam is not a religion of redemption. There is no room for the cross and the Resurrection. Jesus is mentioned, but only as a prophet who prepares for the last prophet, Mohammed. There is also mention of Mary, his virgin mother, but the tragedy of redemption is completely absent. For this reason not only the theology but also the anthropology of Islam is very distant from Christianity,” he wrote. In the same chapter of the book, Pope John Paul spoke about concrete problems stemming from lack of religious freedom in Islamic societies. “In countries where fundamentalist movements come to power, human rights and the principles of religious freedom are unfortunately interpreted in a very one-sided way — religious freedom comes to mean freedom to impose on all citizens the ‘true religion,’” he wrote. “In these countries the situation of Christians is sometimes terribly disturbing. Fundamentalist attitudes of this nature make reciprocal contacts very difficult. All the same, the church remains always open to dialogue and cooperation.” Much less attention was given to a broader question the speech posed about Islam: whether God is absolutely transcendent for Muslims and therefore not bound up with “any of our categories, even that of rationality.” That echoed a question that arose last year, when the pope hosted a two-day, closed-door seminar on Islam with some of his former graduate students: If Muslims understand the Quran’s revelation as literally divine and unadaptable, can Islam really engage the modern world and accept concepts like democracy? According to one participant, Jesuit Father Samir Khalil

Samir, the pope believes Islam and democracy are compatible, but not without difficulty. Father Troll, the German Islamic scholar who gave a presentation at the papal seminar, said the pope avoided categorical judgments about Islam. But he said the pope understands that the traditional, mainstream theology of Islam may make it difficult for Muslims to critically evaluate how their faith interacts with history. The pope has long held that Islam’s all-encompassing approach makes it a challenging dialogue partner. As he MUSLIMS, page 11

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Muslims . . . said in the 1997 book, “Salt of the Earth,” the Quran is “a total religious law, which regulates the whole of political and social life and insists that the whole order of life be Islamic.” Father Samir, an Egyptian-born expert on Islam, said in a recent article that Pope Benedict is one of the few figures to have understood Islam’s struggle to find a place in modern society. He said this awareness has led the pope to broaden Christian-Muslim dialogue, emphasizing cultural issues above strictly religious aspects. “The essential idea is that dialogue with Islam and with other religions cannot be essentially a theological or religious dialogue, except in the broad terms of moral values; it must instead be a dialogue of cultures and civilizations,” Father Samir said. That interpretation would explain why the pope, as one of his first reorganizational acts at the Vatican, made Cardinal Poupard, who is president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the head of the interreligious dialogue council. Cardinal Poupard told CNS that this was a natural move, given the complementary nature of religion and culture. “There is a close connection between faith and culture and, therefore, between cultural dialogue and interreligious dialogue. The faith is not ‘born’ in a vacuum, but inside a culture,” Cardinal Poupard said. In promoting what he calls a “dialogue of cultures and religions,” the pope also has outlined a potential area of

(CNS PHOTO/AMMAR AWAD, REUTERS)

■ Continued from page 10

A Palestinian woman reads the Quran outside the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City during Ramadan in late September. The sacred book of Islam contains the fundamental beliefs, practices and law of Muslims.

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Christian-Muslim cooperation — the struggle against secular trends in contemporary society. As the pope said in Regensburg, it’s a society that risks becoming “deaf to the divine” and that “relegates religion to the realm of subcultures.” Cardinal Poupard said the pope was, in effect, offering “an outstretched hand” to Islam in the battle against an oversecularized global culture. But the pope has also made it clear that for Christians, the struggle against a godless society is based on a rational approach, one that rejects violence, that does not see faith and reason in conflict, and that affirms the centrality of the person. His Regensburg speech, then, could be viewed as an invitation for Muslims to clarify the teachings of Islam on the same points. The strong initial criticism of the Regensburg speech has given way to more thoughtful evaluation by Islamic scholars. Even though the Muslim commentary is still largely unfavorable, Vatican officials now say the papal speech may turn out to be providential in promoting a frank, in-depth look at Christian-Muslim issues. One problem demonstrated by the controversy, however, was that Islam speaks with many voices. In the absence of a Muslim hierarchy, a small group burning an effigy of the pope may make a greater global impact than a group of Islamic scholars calmly dissecting the pope’s arguments. That’s something the pope has long recognized. In “Salt of the Earth,” he said the currents of Islam run from “noble Islam” to “extremist, terrorist Islam.” The Islamic religion as a whole should not be identified with a militant minority, he said. “I think that first we must recognize that Islam is not a MUSLIMS, page 12

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Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

Muslims . . . â&#x2013; Continued from page 11

ESTABLISHMENT MODERN TIMES

Catholic San Francisco contributed to this story.

BIRTH & GROWTH

A BRIEF HISTORY

uniform thing. In fact, there is no single authority for all Muslims, and for this reason dialogue with Islam is always dialogue with certain groups. No one can speak for Islam as a whole; it has, as it were, no commonly regarded orthodoxy,â&#x20AC;? he said. An important issue the pope and his aides have raised with diverse Muslim audiences is the need for mutual respect for religious rights, including those of minority Christian populations in majority Muslim countries. But reciprocity is not seen at the Vatican as a prerequisite for dialogue, nor is it a Pope Benedict invention. Pope John Paul repeatedly raised the issue, notably in his 1985 speech in Morocco â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at the same soccer stadium appearance where he was cheered by 70,000 Muslim youths. Pope Benedict has said he wants to build on the work of his predecessor and the relations of trust that have developed between Christians and Muslims. He has described his own approach as recognizing with joy the shared religious values and respecting â&#x20AC;&#x153;with loyaltyâ&#x20AC;? the differences. His recent prodding on some of the differences, his aides say, only illustrates the crucial importance he gives to this dialogue. As the pope told Muslim leaders in 2005: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interreligious and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is, in fact, a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends.â&#x20AC;?

His preaching attracts followers, but the proclamation of monotheism gives rise to conďŹ&#x201A;ict. Fierce battles are unleashed for control of villages.

Mecca Mohammed born in Mecca. 570

610

613 613

638

656

â&#x17E;?â&#x17E;?

661 670

Islam spreads to India and Morocco.

Mohammedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sayings and practices are collected and organized. Schools of Islamic law form, personal interpretation ends. 700

Sunni and Shiite sects form in leadership dispute.

Muslims conquer Jerusalem. 630 632

He begins to receive revelations.

Muslim conquests extend across Africa to Atlantic Ocean.

Mohammed dies in Medina. Quranic verses compiled.

Ottoman Empire rules over most of Muslim world.

Muslim conquest begins in India.

Arab merchants spread Islam to Indonesia.

Constantinople captured and sacked by Crusaders.

900 1009 1095 Church of Holy Sepulcher destroyed by order of Caliph al-Hakim.

1200 1203

1270

1301 1453

Eight Christian crusades are organized to liberate the Holy Land.

1586

1830

Muslims capture and rule Constantinople.

TURKEY

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forms with Quran as constitution and Shariah as law.

Constantinople (Istanbul)

1923

1932

Ottoman caliphate abolished. Turkey becomes secular state.

1947

State of Israel established. 1948

Islamic state of Pakistan established for Muslims of India.

1979 Islamic revolution of Iran.

ÂŠ2006 CNS

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November 17, 2006

Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Guest Commentary After the voting, hard work awaits us By Tony Magliano Tens of millions of eligible voters decided not to participate in the recent mid-term elections. That should come as no big surprise. Low voter turnout in the world’s leading democracy has been around for some time now. Probably the most significant factor in this trend is the sense among many that no matter who gets elected, little good will be accomplished in the halls of government. And there’s a lot of truth to that sentiment. In recent decades, both Democratic and Republican congresses and administrations have failed to adequately address the most pressing problems facing our nation and world. Continuing to plague humanity are abortion, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, poverty, hunger, homelessness, a low minimum wage, lack of universal education and health care, sweatshops, corporate greed, pollution, global warming, crime, drugs, pornography, child labor, child soldiers, the root-causes of terrorism, the arms trade, outrageous military budgets, nuclear weapons and war. The Catholic Church strongly teaches that beyond the efforts of individuals, governments have a grave responsibility to correct social injustice and strive for peace. In his encyclical “The Development of Peoples,” Pope Paul VI wrote, “The duty of solidarity that rests on individuals exists also for nations: ‘Advanced nations have a very heavy obligation to help the developing peoples.’ ... “When so many are hungry, when so many families suffer from destitution ..., when so many schools, hospitals and homes worthy of the name remain to be built, all public and private squandering of wealth ..., every exhausting armaments race, becomes an intolerable scandal. We are conscious of our duty to denounce it. Would that those in authority listen to our words before it is too late!” Nearly 40 years have passed since Pope Paul wrote those prophetic words, but sadly they are truer today than ever. Yes, if only those in power would listen to the late pope’s words. If only those in authority also would listen to the present pope’s words. In his June address to seven new ambassadors to the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI said: “Our hearts cannot be at peace as long as we see our brothers and sisters suffering from lack of food, work, shelter or other fundamental goods. The earth indeed has the capacity to nurture all its inhabitants, provided that rich countries do not keep for themselves that which belongs to all.” Yet that is largely what the richest country on earth is doing. Our wealthy nation gives only a tiny fraction of its income — 0.2 percent — toward helping the world’s poor. And our government continues to fall far short when it comes to addressing the needs of 37 million poor Americans. Laws in the United States allow abortion on demand and the killing of human embryos for research. And as the world’s leading arms merchant, we sell and give away more weapons than any other nation. We have by far the largest military budget and possess the most fearsome weapons of mass destruction: 10,500 nuclear warheads. Far too many of our elected officials fail to address people’s needs adequately — especially those of poor, unborn and war-torn people. And this dire situation will go largely unchanged until “we the people” stand up and demand justice and peace for all! Good citizenship calls us to this task. We need to insist that government leaders enact legislation and public policy designed to promote the common good, build global solidarity and advance genuine peace. Faithful disciples of Christ should do no less! Tony Magliano writes a column for Catholic News Service.

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St. Vincent de Paul I was especially drawn to Antoinette Bosco’s article (“The saint who fed the poor”) on St. Vincent de Paul in the Nov. 10 issue. Years ago I did some research on this 16th century priest. In addition to his great work for the poor, he was a passionate reformer of the priesthood. The century in which he lived was marked by an exaggerated individualism and rigid class distinctions. Many young men entered the priesthood to escape poverty and aspired to be assigned to wealthy or aristocratic families so they could begin acquiring “estates” for themselves. Vincent, by contrast, was influential in establishing seminaries linked to local parishes for pastoral formation. He inaugurated “Tuesday Conferences” for priests, dedicated to educating the clergy to the practice of community and service. He believed in frequent communication and wrote over 30,000 letters. He believed in lay ministry and organized especially congregations of women dedicated to prayer and service to the poor. He taught congregants to sing the liturgy. He spent himself in struggling to fill the “whole” of his life with the “whole” of the gospel and it is said he died with a smile on his face and that his last words were: “Enough. I believe. I hope. Jesus.” Jack Hitchcock San Mateo

Ideology fuels conflict

food scam, the molestation of victims entrusted to the care of UN relief workers, and the squandering of more than $79 billion in US aid over the last five years, on what principled grounds does a UN consultant presume to have the moral authority to criticize the priorities of the United States? Moreover, given that the three largest recipients of UN funds in 2005 were countries that are funding robust nuclear weapons programs (India, China, and Pakistan), Mr. Sachs was curiously silent on the need for a re-examination of priorities in “developing” countries (“developing what?” emerges as a rather pertinent question). The constraints of the present format preclude a detailed treatment of the fallacies that have informed this simplistic worldview. One that bears particular note, however, is the common yet false assumption that poverty is the primum movens of global conflict. Ironically, Mr. Sachs himself demonstrates the practical implausibility of such a scenario, noting that the world’s impoverished are chronically hungry, weakened by disease, and lacking in the most basic human needs. Tragically, this portrayal of the circumstances facing the world’s poorest citizens is all too accurate; however, the suggestion that such conditions are conducive to planning and executing a global military offensive fails to pass the test of reason. Indeed, the historical record is clear on this fundamental point: ideology – not poverty – is the fuel that sparks global conflict. Having missed this important point, Mr. Sachs proceeds to chart a rosy path to peace and, with the righteous indignation befitting an architect of global peace, shamelessly presents us with the invoice. Unfortunately, in the words of G.K. Chesterton, it isn’t that he doesn’t see the solution; it’s that he can’t see the problem. The perpetrators of the horrific 911 attacks weren’t motivated by the injustice of poverty. The deplorable acts of carnage carried out daily against western citizens are most assuredly not economic protests. On the contrary, the terrorists are guided by a perverted ideology that seeks the total annihilation of all who refuse to embrace their religion. Yet Mr. Sachs appears to have taken the curious position that peace can be achieved with those who vow to eliminate the Christian ideal by simply being, well, more ideal Christians. We are, to be sure, morally obligated to offer compassionate assistance to the impoverished, and Mr. Sachs, to his credit, rightly emphasizes the moral imperative to protect their human dignity. Indeed, no less an authority than Jesus proclaimed that the meek shall one day inherit the earth. Ultimately, however, they must summon the courage to claim their own inheritance; simply giving them ours neither preserves their dignity nor advances the cause of global peace. While the notion quite understandably challenges an economist, dignity and peace are not commodities that can be purchased. If they were, one fears they’d be rather beyond our means. Ken Glasscock Novato, CA

L E T T E R S

I read with interest the recent guest commentary by Tony Magliano in which he recounted the highlights of his interview with Jeffrey Sachs, a noted global economist and special adviser to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In the interview, Mr. Sachs described the current global poverty crisis as the primary impediment to world peace and accused the U.S. and other “wealthy” nations of perpetuating the problem by subordinating charitable giving to military spending. Pausing to acknowledge the noble aims of this highly esteemed economist, one is left with the distinct impression that Mr. Sachs has ventured rather well beyond the proper competence of his discipline. In so doing, he appears to have constructed a theoretical worldview that can be roughly summarized thusly: poverty is the root cause of global war; therefore, eliminating the scourge of poverty will result in global peace. The good news, according to Mr. Sachs, is that we could achieve this most ambitious goal if the world’s richest nations would simply fulfill their moral obligation to provide more funding. Having enlightened us with this insightful observation, Mr. Sachs concludes his assessment with a remark that, were it not so shockingly misinformed and ungracious, would almost be amusing. Quoting from his statement, “The $500 billion that the US spends annually on the military will never bring about a lasting peace because it continues to spend only one-30th of that addressing the needs of the poor.” In light of the UN’s role in the embezzlement of $21 billion in the Iraqi oil-for-

November 17, 2006

Catholic San Francisco

The Catholic Difference In mid-October, thirty-eight Muslim leaders wrote an “Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI,” in response to the Pope’s September lecture at Regensburg University and the international controversy that followed. This unprecedented letter could – just could – help move history in a more benign direction. Understanding both what the Muslim leaders said, and the need for further clarification (and action) on their part, is of the utmost importance. First, consider what they said. Unlike those portside Catholic commentators who thought that the Pope had been too abstractly theological at Regensburg, the Muslim leaders “applaud” the Pope’s “efforts to oppose the dominance of positivism and materialism in human life” and they welcome the Pope’s call for an intellectually serious encounter between Muslims and Christians. They also accept, without cavil, the Pope’s explanation that the condemnation of Islam by the medieval Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus, which Benedict referenced in his lecture, cannot be taken to reflect the Pope’s own views on the faith of Muslims. The Muslim leaders also insist that the Qu’ran’s injunction against “compulsion in religion” cannot be trumped by other Islamic texts. Thus they reject contemporary jihadists’ interpretations of “jihad” as an obligatory holy war of conquest, to be waged against all infidels until Allah’s sovereignty is acknowledged by the entire world. Who else but the jihadists could the thirty-eight signatories have in mind when they write, “If some have disregarded a long and well-established tradition in favor of utopian dreams where the end justifies the means, they have done

so of their own accord and without the sanction of God, his Prophet, or the learned tradition”? In this context, the signatories “totally condemn” the murder of a nun in Somalia in reaction to the Regensburg lecture. The signatories go on to invite the Pope (and, by extension, the Church) to a serious theological dialogue on the transcendence of God, and on the relationship of God’s nature and attributes to human categories of understanding. They also suggest that, in the mainstream Islamic tradition, God cannot command the irrational (like the murder of innocents) – another crucial point in the ongoing contest with those jihadists whom Canadian commentator David Warren aptly styles as “postmodern psychopaths...trying to reconstruct the conditions of 7th-century Arabia.” There are historical questions to be engaged in debating the signatories’ assertion that the rapid spread of Islam in its first centuries was primarily “political.” Still, it is not without significance that the Muslim leaders close their letter by appealing to “what is common in essence in our two Abrahamic traditions,” the two great commandments as proclaimed in Mark’s Gospel: love of God without reservation, and love of neighbor as oneself. What, then, needs further clarification? It would have been helpful had this letter acknowledged the psychotic anti-Semitism that infects too much of the Islamic world today; an Islam in genuine dialogue with Christianity cannot but be in dialogue with Christianity’s parent, Judaism, as well. The Muslim leaders’ letter tends to treat contemporary jihadism as almost a peripheral phenomenon: “...some [who] have disregarded a long and well-estab-

lished tradition” seems a rather anodyne description of those jihadists whose radical interpretations of the Qu’ran, often reflecting the teachings of the Wahhabi sect, are the most dynamic force George Weigel in the Islamic world today. Nor does the letter address the grave problem of Shia Islamic apocalypticism, as embodied by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his evident belief that he can accelerate the coming of the messianic age by means of nuclear holocaust. Absent two important figures (Shaykh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, head of the al-Azhar University in Cairo, and Shaykh Yusuf al-Qardawi, an influential jurist), the thirty-eight signatories represent the A-list of international Islamic authorities. They now face a large question of action: how willing are they to challenge, discipline, and, if needs be, dramatically marginalize the jihadists who preach and commit murder “without the sanction of God, his Prophet, or the learned tradition?” Each day’s headlines remind us that that crucial question remains to be answered. But it is now in play, globally. The world can thank Benedict XVI for that.

no to them. Yet, five years later, not one person who went to my high school didn’t know one or two people who smoked, snorted or otherwise consumed drugs. How did this happen? Sharon Begley, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, recently explored an interesting thesis on this subject: that, while teens do understand the possible consequences of risky behavior, they often believe that the thrills those behaviors bring outweigh the “could-happen” possibilities. It’s an old riff on the thing I felt in my first car, gunning it at 80 miles an down the freeway: Yes, I understood that I possibly could crash, and, yes, I understood that a cop could be behind the next tree — but at that point, it didn’t matter. I thought it couldn’t happen to me. But it did. And there I was, stalled at the side of the road with a ticket in my hand, thinking hard on the word “consequences” and just as late as I would have been if I’d gone the requisite 65. It takes a lot of effort to look beyond the highs of the here-and-now, especially when the world is telling you to take your pleasure now and to “live for the moment.” It isn’t always easy to break through peer pressure and give up the lure of immediate gratification for the future. It takes a lot of strength and courage to truly recognize the consequences and to factor them in while making the hard decisions teenagers often face. The word “consequences” doesn’t always have to be

punishing. You can use it to your own advantage. For example, the consequences of studying for a math test are better grades; the consequences of not smoking are a chance not to contract lung cancer and emphyKaren sema — plus, it will save you hundreds of dollars Dietlein-Osborne by the time you turn 20. Like they said in fifth grade, saying no to drugs is saying no to something that will make a wreck of your body and mind, and if people disparage you for making a decision that’s good for you, they’re probably not very good friends anyhow. In a “live for today” culture, we sometimes forget we also have to plan for tomorrow. This doesn’t mean always playing it like a “prude,” but it does mean playing it smart.

George Weigel is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Coming of Age

Consequences Consequences. People have an interesting relationship with this word. Some brush it off. Some underestimate it. Even the most responsible people you can think of sometimes have moments when they forget it’s there, waiting at the end of the road they travel. They succumb to adrenaline and push the pedal to the floor, heedless of the cop on the corner. They’ll smoke another cigarette, brushing away thoughts of cancer. They’ll choose to cheat on a boyfriend or girlfriend, forgetting that such deceptions cannot last forever. Teens are really familiar with the word. They hear it a lot from parents (often in conjunction with “you’re grounded”) or from other authority figures. The consequences of staying up late are that you’re tired the next morning, they hear. The consequences of not finishing chores or homework are not getting to go to the mall or the game. It seems pretty straightforward to me. “If you do this,” says a parent, or a teacher, or life itself — “you’re going to have to face the consequences.” In fifth grade my whole class went through a drug-awareness program that was part of our elementary curriculum. We learned all about illegal drugs, the terrible things they did to your mind and body, and the very rational reasons for saying

Karen Dietlein-Osborne writes from Albany, N.Y., where she is a staff member at The Evangelist, newspaper of the Diocese of Albany.

Spirituality for Life

When thankfulness doesn’t come naturally In the season of Thanksgiving we focus on important values, those of family, friendship and good food. There’s a lightheartedness about our celebration, and rightfully so. For when we contemplate all that has been given to us to get through life with a good measure of comfort and joy, we should be smiling and maybe feeling a bit lifted by angel wings. I say this, knowing that some immediately will take issue with what I have said, pointing out that, from their experience, life is tough, tragic and unfair. I spoke at a mini-retreat recently, mentioning that Thanksgiving Day was coming soon and that we all had much to be grateful for. One woman jumped practically off her seat to counter what I had said. She responded angrily that there would be no more Thanksgiving days for her. Her husband had died suddenly and she was never going to forgive God for taking him away from her. I felt her pain, and I understood the dark place where she was temporarily stuck. I was reminded of a friend, Barbara Bartocci, who had also lost her faith when her husband, a Navy fighter pilot, was killed — leaving her a widow with three young children, 9, 7 and 5. She too shook her fist at God. Remarkably, it was, perhaps, because she had still more heartbreaks ahead that

she was able to “transform” her life, to use her own words. I’ve had many a talk with Bartocci. That’s because we have so much in common. We’re both writers who have chosen to tell our stories of sudden and serious losses in the hope of helping someone else who is hurting badly not to despair. We both write for religious and secular audiences, often on the theme of spirituality and our thankfulness to God. Bartocci wrote a book a few years ago that should be on the must-read list of any hurting person. It is titled “From Hurting to Happy, Transforming Your Life After Loss” (Sorin Books). The strength of this book lies in its wisdom and honesty, learned not by Bartocci alone but by the many others she interviewed. I was struck by the expression she used to describe our feelings when something happens that is “so bizarre, you could never have imagined it.” She calls this “bewildered rage,” what we’re left with when “the underpinnings of life are snatched away.” But from this place of despair, we can be transformed, Bartocci maintains, finding inner joy again. But this is not instantaneous or easy. “Part of transforming grief into joy includes a willingness to surrender your ideas of what life should be like,” she writes. “Growing spiritually means gradually altering your view of

God.” She had to give up a God who was “aspirin” or a “fairy godfather” or “bearded judge.” She writes: “Gradually, I began to have a different view. It was a life-encompassing view in which God, not I, lived at the center. Antoinette Bosco I stopped getting angry when life didn’t happen exactly as I expected. My losses became, instead of punishments, a natural weaving of joy and sorrow.” Her inner joy came, Bartocci says, when she finally found peace and a trust in God’s presence — in all circumstances.” This is the place where prayer becomes a thanksgiving to the Lord. When we who are grieving come to this place, our new life begins. Antoinette Bosco is the author of a dozen books including “One Day He Beckoned.”

JOHN EARLE PHOTO

Regensburg revisited: the Islamic response

Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET DANIEL DN 12:1-3 In those days, I Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 R. You are my inheritance, O Lord! O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. You are my inheritance, O Lord! Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. You are my inheritance, O Lord! You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

A READING FROM THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS HEB 10:11-14, 18 Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin. A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK MK 13:24-32 Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. “And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Solemnity of Christ the King – November 26. Pope Pius XI established the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 as an antidote to secularism, which leaves God out of human thinking and living, and organizes life as if God did not exist. The feast is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner Christ’s royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations. The Mass describes the qualities of Christ’s kingdom. It is supreme, universal, eternal, and spiritual. Above, a more-than-500-year-old mosaic of Christ in Judgment adorns the ceiling of the Baptistry of San Giovanni adjacent to the Duomo in Florence, Italy.

Scripture FATHER FRANK DOYLE, SJ

‘You are my inheritance, O Lord’ On this Sunday the Scripture readings traditionally speak about the end of the world, the end of time, the final coming of Jesus to take all peoples and all creation to himself. For Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega: the source and the end of all things. In the passage immediately before today’s Gospel, Jesus spoke about the fall and destruction of Jerusalem. It was a catastrophic experience for the Jews: even worse than the destruction of Rome and St. Peter’s would be for us. Because, for the Jews, Jerusalem and its Temple was the very dwelling place of God. It was not the first time the Temple had been desecrated and the Jews driven out into exile but this destruction has lasted 2,000 years. For the early Church it was a very significant event. Even in the letters of Paul, which predated the destruction of the city and Temple, he already speaks of the “new temple” which are the members of the Body of Christ. Christ was to be found in people and not in a building and that is why the destruction of the Vatican and St. Peter’s would not affect the essential nature of the Church. In the early Church, Christians assembled in private homes. Churches, as we know them, only came into existence when, because of the rapid growth of Christianity, homes were too small. Assembly halls (‘basilicas’ from the Greek basileus, king) had to be used which, in the course of time, were exclusively used for religious worship. Today Jesus speaks of the appearance of the Son of Man in glory and the final establishment of the Reign of God. Many people will come under that Reign, probably more than we think. Others may reject it forever and choose the outer darkness. In rejecting the Way of Jesus and the Kingship of God (and this is not necessarily the same as rejecting Christianity), they choose to be outsiders forever. The Son of Man here is understood as Jesus, the man on earth that the disciples knew and loved, but now appearing in all the unparalleled glory of God’s own majesty. Today’s Gospel speaking about the Son of Man “coming in clouds with great power and glory” echoes a passage in the Book of Daniel but here the Son of Man is even more victorious. His appearance is described in terms usually used in the Old Testament for the appearances of God himself. He sends out angels or messengers and gathers all God’s people together: acts of God in the language of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament prophecies where God manifests his glory in the final days, the scattered people are gathered to Jerusalem and to God himself. Here they are gathered to the Son of Man, who commands the angels as if they were his own. Thus we have an affirmation of the central place Jesus, the Son of Man, has in the expectations of the Christians and a reflection of the divine role he is understood to exercise. The first half of today’s Gospel leans heavily on traditional language and ideas from the Old Testament. We need to emphasize that the description of events is not to be understood literally as a prophecy of what is actually going to happen. Rather we are to look at the inner meaning of these happenings. The cosmic disturbances about the sun, moon and stars are traditional ways of describing manifestations of God’s judgment of Israel. In ancient Israelite times, people believed that the sun, moon and stars represented deities who controlled world affairs. Israel believed that when God acted, these celestial bodies would be disturbed.

What is being said here is that these celestial bodies which other nations believed controlled history would be shown to be helpless under the power of God. And so, the sun and moon will stop giving light; stars will fall from the skies. While all these things are being forecast, there is no time frame given. There is no immediate link being given between the destruction of Jerusalem and the final coming of Jesus as King and Lord of all. Even so, the early Christians did expect that Jesus would come in their lifetime. This is reflected in the words, “This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” This was natural for to those who grew up in the Jewish tradition, the end of Jerusalem could only mean the end of the world as some centuries later St. Augustine thought that the conquering of Rome by pagan barbarians was the end of Christian civilization. But already, by the time this Gospel was being written, people were beginning to have doubts about the imminent coming of Christ. Jesus then gives a short parable or lesson from the fig tree. Fig trees were a prominent and well-known feature on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus is speaking. This tree only sprouts its leaves in late spring. When they appear you know that summer is near. So Jesus, in effect, is saying that although the end of the world is being described in calamitous terms, his disciples are to respond with faith, with hope, with anticipation. The end of the world means good times, summer, for them. They are not signs that God has lost control of history but that he is bringing things to a triumphant end. It is indeed the victory of God and the twilight of all the lesser gods which men have created for themselves over the centuries. Heaven and earth, the sun, moon, stars, galaxies and our own little planet may all disappear but God’s Truth, Love and Justice will prevail forever. Finally, in spite of the warnings that some people love to give, the “when” of all this is completely unknown. As we entered the Third Millennium, there were many who warned that “the end is near.” There are those who warn - on the basis of various apparitions - that God, offended by so much evil, is going to take a terrible vengeance on our world. This is highly dangerous language we must be careful to avoid. God does not take revenge. His is a never-changing love. He has nothing but compassion for sinners who do not, cannot hurt God but only hurt themselves. No one, says Jesus, not even he himself knows when the end will come. It is not for us to worry about that. Worrying will not help. On other hand, we should not play a kind of Russian roulette with life and keep putting off the day of our conversion to God. The only way is to live today and every day in his love and service. It is the present which determines the future; so let’s just concentrate on the here and now. Then we already have entered the Lord’s Kingdom and when, early or late, he comes to call us to himself, it will just be a reunion of old friends. In fact, he is already here and has always been and always will be. It is not that he will come to us but that we will enter into a deeper relationship with him when we pass through death to a different kind of life. Father Frank Doyle is an Irish Jesuit and chaplain at Gonzaga College, Dublin.

November 17, 2006

Catholic San Francisco

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church must do more to show people how values such as peace, justice and nonviolence are intrinsically tied to the values of respect for human life and committed self-giving in married love, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Modern society is not simply without morals,” but the morality many have chosen to follow is selective, he said during a Nov. 9 evening meeting with the bishops of Switzerland and heads of Vatican congregations. The off-the-cuff speech was the pope’s third address to the visiting Swiss bishops in a week; the Vatican released a transcript of the German remarks and an Italian translation Nov. 11. The bishops were concluding their 2005 “ad limina” visits to report on the status of their dioceses. The 2005 visits were interrupted by the hospitalization and death of Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict said the Catholic Church must face the challenge of people being attracted to its spirituality, while rejecting many of its moral teachings and disciplines. The church, he said, “is like a tree in

which birds can build a nest, even if they later want to fly away. But it is precisely the place where they can stay for a certain time.” While the spirituality attracts them, “that which is very difficult for people is the morality the church proclaims,” he said. Modern men and women, he said, have rediscovered and reclaimed the values of “peace, nonviolence, justice for all, care for the poor and respect for creation,” values which the church “perhaps did not propose enough.” But they are values that belong to the church’s moral tradition, the pope said. The values that are more difficult for people to accept are those regarding the dignity of human life and sexuality, he said. Almost proclaiming the values of nondiscrimination and freedom as absolutes, the pope said, many people do not accept the church’s condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, genetic manipulation and homosexual unions. But an awareness of the value of each human life — no matter how inconvenient, weak or old — and an acknowledgment of the importance of strong traditional families has not completely disappeared, the pope said. “This exists, and I think we must commit

FUNERAL SERVICES DIRECTORY

(CNS PHOTO/TONY GENTILE)

Pope says Church must show how values are rooted in life and sexuality

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful gathered for his weekly Angelus blessing from the window of his private apartment overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Nov. 12.

ourselves to reconnecting these two parts of morality and making it more evident that they are inseparably united,” Pope Benedict told the bishops and Vatican officials. “Only if one respects human life from conception to death is an ethic of peace possible and credible,” he said. “Only then can nonviolence express itself in every direction; only then can we truly accept creation, and only then can we reach true justice.”

The “great task” facing the Catholic Church is “on the one hand not to make Christianity appear simply as moralism, but rather as a gift in which we have been given the love that sustains us.” On the other hand, he said, “in this context of love given,” the task is to help people find the best ways to express their recognition of God and his love by living according to God’s commandments.

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Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

Books for children and teenagers that entertain and foster reading

Larson’s illustrations will help young readers picture the Italian setting (ages 8-10).

Reviewed by Barb Fraze WASHINGTON (CNS) – Books are great gifts for adults of course, but books also serve to delight children, entertain teens, and foster good reading habits that will serve them well throughout their lives. The following is a selection of recommended books for children and teenagers. BREAK-IN AT THE BASILICA, by Dianne Ahern, illustrated by Katherine Larson. Aunt Dee’s Attic, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Mich., 2006). 103 pp., $11.95. Although the title sounds a bit hokey, this adventure with Sister Philomena, special agent for the pope, is actually entertaining. Sister Philomena’s niece and nephew, visiting her in Italy, accompany her to Assisi, where someone has stolen a treasured parchment written by St. Francis. The story is told from the perspective of many people, including the thief, and mixes mystery, adventure, church history and social justice. It also throws in some common Italian terms and includes a translation of Italian words and phrases at the end.

GOODNIGHT KISSES, by Barney Saltzberg. Red Wagon Books (San Diego, Calif., 2006). 12 pp., $8.95. This fun touch and feel board book will keep very young children asking for it again and again. The large, colorful illustrations open up to additional illustrations with touchable pieces: soft zebra fur, a fuzzy bear nose and even a squeaky bumblebee nose. (Who knew bees had noses?) The illustrations are accompanied by very simple, large text. The final attraction: an illustration with stars that glow in the dark after being placed under a light (ages 6 months-2 years). DAIRY QUEEN, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Houghton Mifflin Company (Boston, 2006). 275 pp., $16. From the first paragraph, Murdock will draw teen readers into this book. The story is told from the perBOOKS FOR CHILDREN, page 19

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Books for children . . . ■ Continued from page 18 spective of a 15-year-old girl, D.J., and in her Murdock has developed a character that will elicit sympathy, laughter and understanding. Unlike D.J.’s dad, most dairy farmers do not name their cows after famous football players, and unlike D.J., most girls don’t end up training the competing high school’s new quarterback. But D.J.’s issues with self-image and self-esteem, her slightly dysfunctional family and her relationship with friends have universal appeal. A small plot development in which a friend discovers she is gay makes this appropriate for mature teen readers, although there is nothing graphic about the discovery (ages 13-16). SHIVER ME LETTERS: A PIRATE ABC, by June Sobel, illustrated by Henry Cole. Harcourt Inc. (San Diego, 2006). 32 pp., $16. Each season one read-aloud book stands above others, and this time “Shiver Me Letters” is that book. Sobel’s clever, rhyming text is delightful and will amuse parents as well as nonreaders. “‘R,’ roared the captain, ‘R’s not enough. We need other letters to help make us tough.’” Cole’s comical, bumbling animal pirates include an alligator captain complete with a hook for a hand and a rubber duckie belt with an eye patch. The combination is an engaging way to learn the ABCs (ages 2-5).

A SUMMER OF KINGS, by Han Nolan. Harcourt Inc. (San Diego, 2006). 334 pp., $17. Here is another excellent teen novel that draws in readers from the opening statement: “Last summer a murderer came to live with us.” Fourteen-year-old Esther Young tells the tale of how an 18year-old African-American youth accused of murder comes to live with her family. The story occurs in the summer of 1963, amid the turmoil of a burgeoning civil rights movement. This is definitely a coming-of-age story as Esther confronts her impressions and feelings about the young man, race relations, family relations and friendship. Besides a gripping story line, the book gives today’s teen readers a taste of life in the early 1960s (ages 12-15). ZANY ZOO, by William Wise, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Walter Lorraine Books (Boston, 2006). 30 pp., $16. Of all the wonderful books I read for these reviews, this one takes the cake. Munsinger’s pen and ink watercolor illustrations are humorous, delightful treasures— and yet the text is so appealing that I read the book twice before I even looked at the illustrations! Wise has compiled a totally unique collection of animal poems — short, whimsical rhymes — all of which end in plays on words. His command of the English language is topped only by his creativity. The illustrations and rhymes in this book will appeal to younger children, but it

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will take slightly older kids with a good command of idioms and vocabulary to truly appreciate how zany this book is (ages 3-up). BELLA AT MIDNIGHT, by Diane Stanley, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. HarperCollins Children’s Books (New York, 2006). 278 pp., $15.99. Part adventure, part fairy tale, “Bella at Midnight” unfolds in the voices of the main male and female characters. Bella loves her peasant family and especially enjoys playing with her friend, the prince. She is forced to leave her family after discovering she has noble blood, but the strong values she has learned stay with her and help lead her to her destiny — bringing peace to kingdoms on the brink of war. This book has all the elements — including romance — of a classic fairy tale and will keep middle-grade readers turning pages (ages 10-14). WHEN GOD MADE THE DAKOTAS, by Tim Kessler, illustrated by Paul Morin. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Grand Rapids, Mich., 2006). 30 pp., $17. Morin’s full-page canvas paintings — rich in reds, browns and golds — beautifully illustrate the Native American perspective of this tale of when God created the Dakotas. Many of the things the Native Americans requested from the Great Spirit were already used elsewhere, but the land now known as North and South Dakota was given vast prairies of waving grass and beautiful sunsets. This book is great as a read-aloud for those too young to read its text (ages 6-11).

Catholic San Francisco

ROASTED PEANUTS, by Tim Egan. Houghton Mifflin Co. (New York, 2006). 30 pp., $16. For many children, summer means baseball, so this illustrated story for young readers is just right for the season. Sam the horse and Jackson the cat loved baseball and roasted peanuts. They had always played baseball together, but when Sam got chosen for the local team and Jackson did not, the two discovered something was missing from the game. How each grew to use his talents makes a nice ending to this tale of baseball, peanuts and friendship (ages 79). DOES GOD FORGIVE ME? by August Gold, photos by Diane Hardy Waller. Skylight Paths Publishing (Woodstock, Vt., 2006) 32pp., $8.99. This read-loud book is a good way to teach young children about God’s love. Waller’s photographs — colorful, multicultural and focused on children — are framed in what looks like crayon and complement the rhyming text that talks about how God and parents always love and forgive. Children’s “questions” are included in a typeface designed to look as if someone printed in crayon ,while the answers are also in colorful type. The theology is fairly basic: “No matter what you say or what you ever do, God’s loving heart never closes to you” (ages 3-6). Barb Fraze, international editor of Catholic News Service, is a mother of three and enjoys reading children’s books.

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November 17, 2006

‘Stranger Than Fiction’ By David DiCerto NEW YORK (CNS) — Pondering God’s infinite knowledge, the psalmist writes in Psalm 139, “Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written,” a verse that seems particularly apropos when watching the delightfully quirky dramatic comedy “Stranger Than Fiction” (Columbia), in which Will Ferrell falls subject to a less lofty omniscience. In what is one of the more original and entertaining films of the year, Ferrell is Harold Crick, a lonely and neurotically obsessive IRS auditor who wakes one morning to find his life being narrated by a seemingly omniscient voice only he can hear. When psychiatrists respond with incredulity, Harold, confident he’s not crazy, seeks the help of a professor of literary theory, Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman), reasoning who better to ask about narration? It turns out that the ever-present voice belongs to a famous reclusive author, Kay Eiffel (Emma Thompson) who’s holed up, working on her long-awaited new novel in which the protagonist is, coincidentally, also named Harold Crick. With Harold’s life mirrored in her manuscript (or is it the other way around?), everything that happens to the fictional Harold, down to the smallest detail, happens to the real one. This doesn’t bode well for Harold as Jules informs him that the main characters in Kay’s books always die in the end. Luckily, Kay is mired in writer’s block and can’t figure out how to kill off her imaginary Harold, leaving the question open as to how the story will ultimately play out. Comedy or tragedy? Imbuing Harold with man-child innocence, Ferrell impresses, reining in his usual mania for a more muted and melancholy performance, reminiscent of Jim Carrey’s toned-down turn in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless

Mind.” In fact, Zach Helm’s intelligent screenplay has a very Charlie Kaufmanesque feel. (There is some inconsistency about whether Kay is just commenting on Harold’s life or exerts control over it.) Solid support is provided by Maggie Gyllenhaal as Ana, an opinionated baker who is audited by Harold and who provides some sweet romance, eventually drawing him out of his introversion. As is unfortunately the case with most movies today, Harold and Ana wind up sleeping together, but apart from that one discreet bedroom scene (they’re lying under the covers — no nudity, just snuggling) and a few four-letter words, there’s nothing really objectionable in the film. By turns sentimental, funny and, in the end, modestly profound, director Marc Forster’s existential farce touches on issues of fate and free will (you could even call it a Calvinistic comedy) and imparts a wonderful message that the little moments — the smiles, hugs and small acts of kindness — we often relegate to footnote status in the narrative of our daily living are what give life its meaning. The film contains an implied sexual encounter, brief locker-room rear nudity, a jarring traffic accident and one use of the f-word, as well as a couple of crude expressions and an instance of profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The MPAA rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews at www.usccb.org/movies.

Dustin Hoffman, left, and Will Ferrell star in a scene from the movie “Stranger Than Fiction.”

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In Theatres Everywhere December 1

November 17, 2006

Advent Opportunities Nov. 27: The Gospel of Luke, a pre-Advent presentation at St. Bartholomew Church 300 Alameda de las Pulgas at Crystal Springs Rd. in San Mateo at 7 p.m. Production features talents of Michael Reardon under the direction of Patrick Lane with music, lighting and costumes. Free will offering. Sponsored by St. Bart’s, St. Matthew Parish in San Mateo and Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame. Call (650) 347-0701, ext. 17. Dec. 2: Docent-led Angel Tour at St. Dominic Church, Bush and Steiner in San Francisco at 10 a.m. Meet in the Main Vestibule. A chance to get acquainted with a few of the more unusual angels of the 500 plus winged-creatures portrayed in the stained glass windows, altars and walls of this Gothic church. Aquinas’ hierarchy of angels and the portrayal of angels in art through the centuries are also explored. Contact Hennie at hennie@planeteria.net. Dec. 3: Festivals of Light, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Christmas Concert at Mission Dolores Basilica, 16th and Dolores St. in San Francisco at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults/$5 students and seniors. Selections include Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, and Ave Maria.Directed by Christian Bohm, Director of Music at SHCP.Tickets may be purchased at the SHCP Theatre Box Office at 415.775.6626, ext.715. www.shcp.edu Dec. 9: I Have Called You by Name, a Morning of Reconciliation, organized by parishes of Deanery 2 of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, 1122 Jamestown Ave. at 3rd St. at 9:30 a.m. Franciscan Father Charles Talley will facilitate. Call the parish office at (415) 468-3434. Dec. 10, 14: Choir featuring voices of almost 50 priests serving in the Archdiocese of San Francisco perform songs of the season Dec. 10 at St. Andrew Church, 1271 Southgate Ave. in Daly City, (650) 7563223 and Dec, 14 at St. Anne of the Sunset Church, 850 Judah St. at Funston in San Francisco, (415) 665-1600, ext. 22. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. Free will offerings will benefit Priests’ Retirement Fund. Dec. 16 – 24: Simbang Gabi, a spiritual preparation for Christmas at 6 a.m. at St. Stephen Church, 601 Eucalyptus Drive in San Francisco. Breakfast follows. Contact Nellie Hizon at (415) 699-7927. Sponsored by St. Stephen, St. Cecilia, St. Emydius, St. Finn Barr and St. Gabriel parishes. Sundays: Gregorian Chant at the National Shrine of Saint Francis at 12:15 p.m. Mass. Visitors and locals alike are welcome to come and worship at this intimate historical treasure in the heart of North Beach 610 Vallejo Street at Columbus Avenue. For more information, please telephone (415) 983-0405.

3rd Wed. at 7:30 p.m.: Sisters of Notre Dame Province Center, 1520 Ralston Ave, Belmont. Call (650) 593-2045 ext. 277 or visit www.SistersofNotreDameCa.org. 1st Fri. at 8 p.m.: Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame with Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan. Call (650) 340-7452; Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park at 7:30 p.m. Call Deacon Dominic Peloso at (650) 322-3013. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.: Notre Dame Des Victoires Church, 566 Bush at Stockton, SF, with Rob Grant. Call (415) 397-0113. 2nd Fri. at 8 p.m.: Our Lady of the Pillar, 400 Church St. in Half Moon Bay. Call Cheryl Fuller at (650) 726-2249.

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Shows/Entertainment/Auditions Nov. 17, 18: Dominican Winifred Baker Chorale performs Friday at St. Raphael Church, 1104 Fifth St. in San Rafael and Sat. at St. Paul Church, 221 Valley St. at Church St. in San Francisco. Both concerts begin at 8 p.m. Program includes Haydn’s Harmoniemesse and Bach’s Concerto in D Major. Tickets - $5 adults/children under 12 free - available at door. Call (415) 479-9542. Sundays: Concerts at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary St., SF at 3:30 p.m. Call (415) 567-2020 ext. 213. Open to the public. Admission free. Nov.19: Angela Kraft Cross, Organist. Works by Bach and Buxtehude.

Prayer/Lectures/Trainings

Immaculate Conception Academy’s, class of ’56, met October 7th for memories and fun. “We were very happy that 35 classmates could attend,” said Barbara C. Bottarini.

St. Mary’s Cathedral The following events are taking place at or are coordinated by the cathedral of the Archdiocese located at Gough and Geary St. in San Francisco. Call (415) 567-2020 for more information about any event listed here. November 18: Archbishop George Niederauer will host a Day of Recollection entitled “Come, Follow Me”. It builds on last year’s Day of Recollection to mark the end of the Year of the Eucharist and will again be led by Michael McDevitt of Mystical Humanity of Christ.. Attendees will have a choice of English or Spanish, and lunch will be provided. Call (415) 614-5505 for more information.

Nov. 17, 18: Sisters of Mercy Holiday Boutique at Marian Care Center, 2300 Adeline Drive in Burlingame, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days. “Retired Sisters of Mercy have lovingly prepared gifts for you to give,” said information promoting the event. Choose from delicious homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, handmade blankets and cards, gift baskets, candies and fudge. For information please call Debbie Halleran (650) 340-7426. Nov. 18, 19: Holiday Boutique benefiting retired Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 4336 Mission Blvd. in Fremont. Ceramics, oil paintings, hand-made afghans and the Sisters’ California olive oil are featured. Call (510) 657-2468. Nov. 18: Mercy High School, San Francisco will host their 11th annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Catherine McAuley Pavilion. In addition to numerous vendors, renowned food expert Narsai David will be on hand. Admission is free and ample parking is available. Mercy High School San Francisco is located at 3250 Nineteenth Avenue. For more information, please contact Debbie Mathews at (415) 3340525, ext. 217 or dmathews@mercyhs.org. Nov. 18: Join Birthright of San Francisco for its Holiday Harvest Luncheon and Floral Arranging Demonstration at the Presidio Golf Club at 11:30. Silent Auction includes holiday wreaths and flower arrangements. Tickets are $45 per person. Call (415) 664-9909 for reservations.

Nov. 18: Holiday Boutique benefiting Immaculate Conception Academy, 24th and Guerrero St. in San Francisco 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Features include homemade baked goods, gifts, handmade jewelry, and crafts with gourmet olive oil and fruitcakes from the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. Pictures with Santa, too. Nov. 18: A Buccaneer Treasure Hunt, an adult-only night of treasure hunting to benefit Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in the OLM Church Hall, 7 Elmwood Drive in Daly City beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door - $30 per adult/$25 for those 55 and over. Evening includes auction of many one-of-a-kind items and gaming for great prizes. Call (650) 756-3395 or visit OLMPTO@yahoo.com. Nov. 18, 19: St. Stephen Women’s Guild invites you to a Fall Bake Sale. Delicious homemade treats of all kinds will be sold after each mass right outside church on Eucalyptus Dr. at 23rd Ave. Proceeds benefit St. Stephen School. Everyone is welcome! Contact Ethel Rohan (415) 682-8008 or Maureen Mallon (415) 566-9865. Nov. 29: Christmas at Kohl Mansion, a holiday boutique benefiting Mercy High School, Burlingame at 2750 Adeline Drive in Burlingame from 5 – 9 p.m. Evening includes docent-led tours of famed Kohl Mansion as well as jewelry, clothing and holiday decorations for sale. Admission is $7 per person. Call Carol Fraher, alumnae relations, at (650) 762-1190. Dec. 2, 3: St. Pius Women’s Club Holiday Boutique Sat. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Gifts for the family, home with entertainment, food and Santa on Sat. from 2 – 3 p.m. Call (650) 364-5204. Dec. 2, 3: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, a holiday boutique benefiting St. Brendan Elementary School, Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in parish hall, Laguna Honda Blvd. at Ulloa St. in San Francisco. Raffles, food court and great gifts. Call (415) 731-2665. Dec. 3: Open House and Craft Bazaar benefiting Hanna Boys Center, committed helping at-risk youth since 1949. All takes place on campus at 17000 Arnold Drive in Sonoma from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call (707) 933-2504. Dec. 5: St. Stephen Women’s Guild invites you to its Christmas boutique where you can purchase unique holiday gifts hand-crafted by artists within the St. Stephen community in Donworth Hall from

Nov. 19: Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving at St. Charles Church, 880 Tmarack Ave. in San Carlos at 7:30 p.m. Join San Carlos Area Churches in this annual event held for more than 10 years. This year’s free-will Collection will go to San Carlos’ sister city, Pass Cristian, Mississippi. For more information, call Claire Giovannetti at (650) 591-7349 ex 32. Deepen Your Faith Speaker Series. Challenge yourself and grow in your faith. Join us at 7 p.m. for an engaging speaker, delicious food, and in-depth discussion at St. Pius Parish, 1100 Woodside Rd, Redwood City. For more information call (650) 3650140 or email Kevin@pius.org. Nov. 28: The Stem Cell Issue with Father Gerald Coleman. Lights, Camera, Faith! Who says the movies have nothing to do with your faith? Join us at 7p.m at St. Pius Parish, 1100 Woodside Rd, Redwood City for a current movie and discussion focused on the 10 Commandments. For more information call (650) 3650140 or email Kevin@pius.org. Nov. 21: Bruce Almighty. Come pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Scriptural Rosary, and special intentions before the Blessed Sacrament at the beautiful Monastery of Perpetual Adoration. Saturdays 10:00 to 11:15 am, 771 Ashbury Street at Waller in San Francisco. Some parking available adjacent to the monastery. Contact Steve at (415) 290-5598. Saturdays: Prayer meeting at St. Hilary Church, 761 Hilary Dr. Tiburon, at 9:30 a.m. Father James Tarantino, presiding. Hospitality follows. All are welcome. Call Moriah at (415) 756-5505 Saturdays: Bible Study at St. Hilary Church, 761 Hilary Dr. Tiburon, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. All are welcome. Call Moriah (415) 756-5505.

Single, Divorced, Separated Nov. 25: Annual Thanksgiving Mass for the divorced and separated of the Archdiocese of San Francisco at 5:30 p.m. at St. John of God Church, 5th Ave. at Irving in San Francisco. A reception follows. Contact Jesuit Father Al Grosskopf at (415) 422-6698 or Susan Fox at (415) 752-1308.

Datebook is a free listing for parishes, schools and non-profit groups. Please include event name, time, date, place, address and an information phone number. Listing must reach Catholic San Francisco at least two weeks before the Friday publication date desired. Mail your notice to: Datebook, Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, S.F. 94109, or fax it to (415) 614-5633.

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO 2007 DELUXE DIRECTORY

Archdiocese San Francisco

Nov. 19: Love’s Perfect Design, a celebration of faith, friends and family at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco at 3 p.m. Afternoon features the singing of Hillary Hogan in tribute to her dad, H. David Hogan, a well-known composer of sacred choral music, who died in an air crash some 10 years ago. Friends, family and former students of the late composer join the Peabody Institute-trained soprano in song. For ticket information, contact Consortium of Arts in Walnut Creek at (323) 4496737 or www.ThanksgivingConcert.org.

2:30-8:30 p.m. Shop for one-of-a-kind items including jewelry, hand-knit items, paintings, original photographs and artwork, and much more. Participating artists will donate 15% of their sales back to the school. Refreshments are available and admission is free. For more info, contact Laura Parnell (415/587-8756 or laurasparnell @aol.com) or Deirdre Kelly (415/664-8439).

Datebook

Food & Fun

Taize Prayer

Catholic San Francisco

INCLUDES: Archdiocesan Officials and Departments, Catholic Charities, Parishes & Missions, Parish Staff Listings. Latest E-mail Addresses, Phone Directory Yellow Pages, Mass Schedules. Schools: Elementary, High Schools, Universities & Colleges. Religious Orders, Religious Organizations, etc. . . .

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copies of the Directory Address Zip Code

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Method of Payment: ❑ Visa ❑ Mastercard Exp. Date: ❑ Check ❑ Money Order

Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

Catholic San Francisco

Classifieds

Employment Opportunities e unique! r ’ u o y

For Information Call: 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641 Email: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

CHIMNEY CLEANING SPECIAL!

And Bright Horizons is too, which makes us a great place to work! We’re the world’s leading provider of child care and early education. As part of our unique culture, we offer a welcoming environment where all are valued and respected. Plus, Bright Horizons is committed to making a difference in our communities through the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. We’ve also been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” Bring your unique talents to our Full Service and Back-Up Centers. In Southern California: Cathy Ellis-Abelson Voicemail: 888-348-2991 x1745 Phone/Fax: 805-578-2267 cellis@brighthorizons.com

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SERVICE DIRECTORY For Advertising Information Call 415-614-5642 E-mail: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

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NOTICE TO READERS Licensed contractors are required by law to list their license numbers in advertisments. The law also state that contractors performing work totaling $500 or more must be statelicensed. Advertisments appearing in this newspaper without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed. For more information, contact:

Contractors State License Board 800-321-2752

ELECTRIC NEEDHAM ELECTRIC, INC

• Family • Work • Depression • Anxiety

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REAL ESTATE

Handyman

If I can be of service to you, or if you know of anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home, please do not hesitate to call me . . .

Painting, roof repair, fence (repair/ build) demolition, carpenter, gutter (clean/ repair), skylight repairs, landscaping, gardening, hauling, moving, janitorial. All purpose.

* Parishioner of St. Gregory’s Church, San Mateo

Today

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• Relationships • Addictions

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TABLES SEATING LINENS SETTINGS SERVEWARE STAGING

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Catholic San Francisco

reaches 85,000 households by mail, 41 times per year. If you would like to reach over 225,000 potential customers please call: In Marin County 415-472-3861

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November 17, 2006 St. Jude Novena

PUBLISH A NOVENA Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Cost $25

If you wish to publish a Novena in the Catholic San Francisco You may use the form below or call 415-614-5640

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us. Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. Thank You St. Jude. Never known to fail. You may publish.

Caregiver available, 12 hrs/day or live-in, price negotiable. Transportation, personal care, doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appts, help with daily activities. Honest, reliable, excellent refs, bonded.

C.C.

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Catholic San Francisco

Employment Opportunities Special Needs Companion Services We are looking for you.

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Work Full or Part-time in San Francisco â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Marin County â&#x20AC;˘ Provide non medical elder care in the home â&#x20AC;˘ Generous benefit package

Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Prayer to St. Jude

Name Adress Phone MC/VISA # Exp. Select One Prayer: â?&#x2018; St. Jude Novena to SH â?&#x2018; Prayer to St. Jude

â?&#x2018; Prayer to the Blessed Virgin â?&#x2018; Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Please return form with check or money order for $25 Payable to: Catholic San Francisco Advertising Dept., Catholic San Francisco 1 Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

St. Jude Novena

N.D.H.

Catholic San Francisco

CLASSIFIEDS

For Information Call: 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641 Email:

Prayer to St. Jude Oh, Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near Kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make you be invoked. Say three our Fathers, three Hail Marys and Glorias. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. This Novena has never been known to fail. This Novena must be said 9 consecutive days. Thanks. S.M.

Oh, Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near Kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make you be invoked. Say three our Fathers, three Hail Marys and Glorias. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. This Novena has never been known to fail. This Novena must be said 9 consecutive days. Thanks. C.C.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail. Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need. Oh Mary, conceived without sin. Pray for us (3X). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3X). Say prayers 3 days. R.T.

Voice/piano lessons by former university professor. (415) 587-8165

Piano Lessons PIANO LESSONS BY

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Help Wanted

heaven canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait

Serra for Priestly Vocations Please call Archdiocese of San Francisco Fr. Tom Daly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (415) 614-5683

ADVERTISING SALES

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car, (KTPZZPVUZ (KTPUPZ[YH[P]L (ZZPZ[HU[

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Fax your resume to: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN 415-435-0421 Send your resume: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN Special Needs Nursing, Inc. 98 Main Street, #427 Tiburon, Ca 94920

IMMEDIATE OPENING GROUNDSKEEPER I A non-profit, religious organization has an immediate need for a full-time, fully benefited Groundskeeper I for its Landscaping and Grounds Department. Duties include sod laying, planting of plants and shrubbery; mowing, raking, hauling, pruning and watering; assistance in maintenance of irrigation and drainage systems, grounds keeping equipment and machinery. Must have valid CA driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, HS diploma or GED, can lift up to 50 lbs, & work at heights up to 12 ft. Must have at least one-year gardening experience utilizing power equipment. Pluses are experience in nursery, garden or landscaping; some mechanical skills; machinery repair and maintenance.

Send resumes to: Sisters of Mercy, Attn: HR Department, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 or Fax: (650) 373-4509 or email cricafrente@mercyburl.org

This is a Career Opportunity! â&#x20AC;˘ Generous Commissions â&#x20AC;˘ Minimal Travel â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent Benefit Package â&#x20AC;˘ Stong Office Support â&#x20AC;˘ Work in Your Community. E.O.E.

RNs and LVNs: we want you.

penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

your house,

Voice / Piano Lessons

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ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Looking to make a difference? We, the Catholic Church of San Francisco, pledge ourselves to be a dynamic and collaborative community of faith known for its quality of leadership; richness of diversity of culture and peoples; and united in faith, hope and love. The Archdiocese of San Francisco is seeking a qualified Assistant Superintendent for Planning and Finance for the Department of Catholic Schools. This is a regular, full-time exempt position. Competitive compensation with a very substantial benefits package including employer-funded Pension Plan, 403(b) and Flexible Spending Account, generous holiday schedule and free, gated parking. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF POSITION: To offer support and professional consultation to parishes/schools, Archdiocesan high schools, Department of Catholic chools, and to other Archdiocesan organizations on financial development for schools, formal long-range planning, and fiscal management. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: (For complete details, see the full description at: http://www.sfcatholicschools.org ) 1) Develops resources and provides technical assistance to parish elementary schools and Archdiocesan high schools regarding financial management: 2) Organizes and maintains Archdiocesan tuition assistance programs: Elementary Family Grants Program, Catholic High School Scholarship Program and Special Inner City Scholarship Program. 3) Represents the Roman Catholic Welfare Corporation in all matters concerning the Archdiocesan Federation of Teachers, Local 2240 (Archdiocesan high school teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; union). 4) Collaborates with the Archdiocesan Office of Stewardship and Development to establish a development program for the benefit of elementary and high schools. QUALIFICATIONS: CPA certification and 10 years of financial experience in educational environment preferred Bachelors Degree required; Accounting or Business Major - preferred Personable with ability to coach and mentor Principals in areas of budget and finance A Catholic in good standing

PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME AND COVER LETTER: Attn: Maureen Huntington, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Archdiocese of San Francisco One Peter Yorke Way , San Francisco, CA 94109-6602 E-mail: huntingtonm@sfarchdiocese.org

Catholic San Francisco

November 17, 2006

In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed Interred In Our Catholic Cemeteries During the Month of October HOLY CROSS COLMA

Mario J. Ferrey John Forbes, Jr. Marjorie A. Ford Angela R. Fornesi Gracion E. Forrest, Sr. William Mark Fowlie Kathleen Williams Friday Azucena B. Garcia Erma D. Gardner Frieda Gerhart Lucille A. Getts Frances A. Giovannini Demetrio N. Gonzalez Rene Gorra Teckla Catrone Gras Marie A. Grassilli Joseph F. Guerin, Sr. Samuel Alva Abad Guillermo Jo Ann Guldbech Rev. Joseph M. Hanley, C.S.P. Warren W. Hanson Teresita A. Hermosura Marie A. Hughes Edward J. Hurst III Jerry A. Judnick Kathleen M. Keating Lawrence J. LaBelle Bernice A. LaDuca Albina M. Lagomarsino Rev. Anthony Hon Chung Lee William M. Loftus Sr. Rita Margaret Lowe Aurelia R. Machado Elizabeth M. Maggi Rose Mary Maniscalco Carlito D. Manzarate Hilda S. Martin Laura E. Martinez Sr. Maria de la Luz Martinez, AP Sarah Masarweh

Andres G. Ancheta Catherine Armanini Rene M. Arroyo Carol Attard Richard Henri Barr Mary A. Basham Laureano Beistegui Paul F. Bergez David E. Brady Alma M. Budesa Elvira Irene Cassidy Seberino Castro, Sr. Alfred E. Catanzaro Michele Cesareo Roy E. Chapman Wladyslaw W. Chciuk Josephine Sudano Chrisman Liz Christner Catherine Clarkin Mary Rita Colombo Evelyn Cortes Robinson Stanley Corzo Maureen D. Cronin Philip Gray Crumpler II Elizabeth Darmadi Norma J. DeCot Delia L. Del Rosario Eleanor DeLeon June Veronica Chreisten DeMaria Florence Elin Doyle Stephen E. Doyle John Duffy Arthur W. Dusenberry Eugene Daniel Engle Kathleen A. Ercoli Ramon Fernandez Louis J. Ferrero

Angelo V. Massagli Pearl G. McAuliffe James P. McCarron Denis J. McCarthy Catherine Una McCarthyBailey Corazon B. Melano Elfreda J. Menzel Palmira B. Morrissey Jamal Yousef Musallam Guido E. Nannini Michael O'Neill Noreen A. O'Reilly Mary Louise Partmann Francis M. Pascua Irene D. Paz Kandilee Kathryn Peters Maria Matilde Pineda Frank B. Popovic Emma Pretari Primitivo V. Ramirez Virginia Randall Michael Rao Anna K. Reed Bernyl L. Reed Agnes S. Rhodes Giovanni (John) Rinaldi Catharine M. Robinson Josephine F. Rusk Mary A. Salvini Violet A. Samonte Theresa A. Schiefer Donald James Schleiger Soledad H. Serna Juana Cobian Sevilla Marjorie Ruth Smith Reynaldo V. Tameta Matilda C. Ternullo Choi Sin Tse-Kwan

Poldi Vennemeyer Robert J. Vollbracht Sonia Wasak Jeanne M. Weatherwax Rev. Warren L. Woods Jessirie-Pauline Ynion

HOLY CROSS MENLO PARK Jesus O. Ayala-Pena Everardo Carrillo-Perez Ella T. Engel Dorothy Burke Flores Hugo Guzman Esmeralda Lopez Jesus Castaneda Perez Emmanuel Reyes

MT. OLIVET SAN RAFAEL Anthony Antero Alomia Pierina Canziani Hugh Thursten Clarke William J. Fives Arthur B. Hecht Leo A. Hericks Lucille V. Manfredi Hilda Theresa Page Aldo Rinaldi Joseph F. Simas

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY, COLMA 1st Saturday Mass – Saturday, December 2, 2006 11 a.m. – All Saints Mausoleum Chapel Rev. Piers Lahey, Celebrant Pastor, Church of the Good Shepherd, Pacifica

Christmas Remembrance Service – Saturday, December 9, 2006 11 a.m. – All Saints Mausoleum Chapel – No Mass Rev. John Talesfore, Officiating Pastor, Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption

The Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of San Francisco www.holycrosscemeteries.com Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA 94014 650-756-2060

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Intersection of Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 650-323-6375

Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 270 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903 415-479-9020

A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.